Gravel tyres explained: width, tread and pressure for every surface
38 or 45 mm? Slick centre or full knobs? How to pick gravel tyres and the pressures we actually run.
Start with your terrain. Mostly smooth farm tracks and tarmac link-ups suit a 38–40 mm tyre with a fast, low centre tread. Loose, rocky trails reward 45 mm or wider with proper shoulder knobs.
Pressure matters more than tread
Going tubeless lets you drop pressure for grip and comfort without pinch flats. As a starting point, a 75 kg rider on 40 mm tyres runs around 32 psi front and 35 psi rear.
